Contests!

Pheelya is going to be a "Zia" (aunt in Italian) again and wants to know what to knit for for the baby that is due in November. Post a comment with your idea and tell her I sent you!

Then go over to the Cloverhill Yarn Shop Countdown to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and leave a comment to be elegible to win a hand dyed skein of yarn.

And a ton more contests here.

The Vegas Knitting Game Bag

Thanks for all of your suggestions for beating cabin fever and for sending some sunshine our way. Today was sunny and the temp. actually reached 50! Here is the black/gray bag I knit for Annie. I like it, but if it had been up to me there would have been a couple of red stripes in there.

So to amuse myself this weekend I started on this bag. You have heard of the "Vegas Knitting Game Scarf"? (Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar, March 21, 2006)

Well, here is my Vegas Knitting Game Bag!

I grabbed:

6 partial skeins of leftover 100% wool yarn from my stash and labeled them 1-6.

One Die

5 playing cards - I used the 4, 6, 8, 10, and queen of hearts. The queen = 12.

Then I rolled the die, found the yarn with that number on it and CO 40 stitches on size 10 1/2 26" circs. I knit 40 rows in garter stitch (20 ridges) and then picked up 20 stitches along the side of the rectangle, the 40 CO stitches, 20 stitches along the other side of the rectangle and joined into a round. Then I rolled the die again - found the color (if I rolled the same number twice, I rolled again), shuffled the 5 cards and drew one. That's how many rows I knit with the first color. roll the die again - tied on the yarn with that number, drew another card, and knit that many rows. This is what I have so far. I'll keep going until it is about 14 inches tall, then roll the die for the color of the i-cord handles - two - probably about 36" long, then felt them along with the bag, shape and dry over a plastic cereal box. When it is dry, the handles will go on pretty much like the Black Sheep Booga Bag.

Here's what I have so far - hey, it's the next best thing to going to Vegas LOL. The dark color is actually purple and not black - no black for this bag!!!

Cabin Fever

I haven't been blogging much lately - Cabin Fever has set in big time! It's time for spring but mother nature doesn't know it here in Maine. Temps are still in the 30's and although the ground is pretty much bare - these huge white flakes come down everyone day or so. The kids at school are feeling it too. It's time to be out riding bikes, fishing, playing baseball - and it's freezing! Even my knitting is in a slump! I did finish a felted bag that a friend asked me to make for her - but she wanted black and grey stripes - and knitting it just added to the doldrums. I need something much more colorful to bring me out of my knitting slump! Got any suggestions?

Parent Job Description

POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :Get this: You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays an d no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do...or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

FOOTNOTE “THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!'

NYC

We had a great time in New York - even though it was cold, we are used to that! My DD has most of the pictures - so I'll post some when I get them.
When we checked in she decided 'we' wanted rooms with a view so she chose the 21st floor over the 6th. I don't do well with heights! Just looking at this picture (that I actually took) makes me dizzy! I didn't find any yarn stores - wonder if there is such a thing in NYC? But the girls did a lot of shopping and even found some bargains. I had some quality time with my sister who came in from NJ for the weekend. We saw the new "A Chorus Line" on Broadway which was great. Could never live in the city though - just too used to my quiet country life!

Happy Easter

I'm heading out of town for the weekend - down to New York City and the Easter Parade! My DD, and two granddaughters and I are going and will be meeting my two sisters there - it's a girl's weekend! We hope to color eggs in Central Park, wear silly hats on 5th Avenue, visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, take in some museums, maybe an off broadway play - and probably freeze, since the temps in NYC will be in the 30s. I hope to have pictures to share next week.

I'm Dreaming of a White St. Patrick's Day?

But it's more like a nightmare! Yes, it's snowing again in Downeast Maine!

I've been working on a couple of St. Patrick's Day projects (My maiden name is Donnelly after all!). This Shamrock dishcloth and a
A mini-accordion album -


just have to find some pictures to go in it - a good snowy day project.
I finally have some pictures of the State Cheering Competition in Augusta, ME. in February.



The girls did a great job - made it to the finals (call backs) and came in 4th in the state.



GO SUMNER TIGERS!!!!

Springing Ahead

It seems way too early for daylight savings time - but if it means spring is getting close I'll deal with driving to work in the dark for a couple of weeks. We've had a lot of rain this past week and I can once again see my back yard - another sign spring is coming - or rather what we call here 'mud season'.

On the knitting scene in my never-ending quest to use up my yarn stash (so I can justify buying more of course) I'm making some of these mini-Easter baskets with leftover felting yarn ( Patons, Cascade, and Galway 100% wool yarn.)

CO 25 stitches on size 11 16" circs and knit 24 rows in garter stitch (12 ridges). Then pick up 12 stitches along the side (just stick the needle into each ridge and knit a stitch), the 25 CO stitches along the bottom, and 12 more stitches on the other side. Join and work in the round for about 6 inches. Add different colors for stripes, or even use up some of that novelty yarn and fun fur as you go. BO. Make two 4 stitch I-cords about 12" long and sew them together at one end, twist, and sew together at the other end. Sew the handle inside the basket - through in the washer and felt down to the size you want. This one is about 6" wide and 3" tall.

And for the tiny bits of left over yarn (you can't just throw them away, can you?) I'm making these bookmarks. Patterns are on the

Yahoo Monthly Bookmark KAL - you have to join to get them, but can easily make up your own using any pattern stitch you would like to try out.

I probably should name my blog "Grammie Knits, while Grampy Cooks"!His latest kitchen toy is this really cook spice rack that goes under the cabinet. After you fill them, you can select how much you need on the little dial and it will dispense just that much. Now how cool is that! It's called the Auto-measure Carousel and made by KitchenArt. He actually picked it up at Hannaford - a NE grocery chain- while food shopping.

Think Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunset on Frenchman's Bay

aMy entry for the "Place that brings you peace and joy" on Zeeneedle's blog. Janet is also having a contest - go over to A Work in Progress and guess when her snow will be gone (she lives in Alaska by the way). Vicki is having a contest too although I think she's the one who should get a prize for weaving in all of those ends - enter the contest on Purple is a Fruit.

In Like A Lion

March is coming in like a lion, just as promised. Predictions are for up to a foot of new snow today. Yes, it's pretty, but I can't wait for the lamb!

I haven't been blogging this week, but I have been knitting...a little.

Kris has designed another beautiful washcloth (too pretty to wash dishes

with! She calls it "Springing up Flowers" and you can find the pattern

here. She has designed some other great cloths too, and is generous enough to share them for free on her blog. You can see the flowers much more clearly on the photo over there.

I've also been knitting up these cute eggs - stuffed with Cadbury chocolate eggs! They are Jean Greenhowe's Novelty Eggs.

and use up small amounts of fingering weight yarn. I plan on making some little felted Easter baskets to put them in, although it's hard to think about Easter when looking out my window today. Easter comes so early this year we will surely be hunting for eggs in the snow.

Yesterday, I received my "Mystery Yarn Ball" package from Mary. In this Whoduknit Swap we had to wind up small treasures into a ball of yarn, and then provide a pattern for the receiver to knit. As you knit, the goodies fall out of the yarn ball. Mary sent some Bernat Black Lites yarn, and a pattern for the Trio knit tote bag from Crystal Palace Yarns. There were a few goodies in the package that I guess did not fit inside the yarn ball. I'm anxious to get started on the pattern and see what falls out!

If you too are snowed in this weekend, you might want to try this great clam chowder recipe. Our friends Layne and Tim (Hi Layne) served us this along with a great chicken dish and great company (and a little too much wine!) last Saturday night.

New England Clam Chowder

1 med onion, chopped 1 lg can chopped clams or 2 sm cans
½ lb raw bacon 2 qts heavy cream
2 Tbl garlic 1 Tbl lobster base
Black pepper to taste 1 tsp chicken base
2 potatoes, cooked, cubed

1. In soup pot, cook bacon; remove from pan and set aside. In bacon drippings, sauté onions & garlic.

2. Add pepper, clams & half the juice, and cream. Bring to a simmer.

3. Add lobster & chicken bases. Cook on low until thickened.

4. Add cooked potatoes. ENJOY!


Chicken Cacciatora with Olives

3 Tbl olive oil ½ dry white wine
3 cloves garlic, sliced 2 Tbl red wine vinegar
4-lb tender chicken, cut into pieces 20 ripe olives; 20 green olives,
1/8 tsp salt pitted/diced (I leave them whole)
1/8 tsp pepper 2 anchovy filets, chopped

1. In large pot, place oil and garlic. When oil is hot, add chicken, sprinkle with salt & pepper and brown slowly and thoroughly on all sides.

2. When chicken has a good golden color, add wine and vinegar. Add olives, and after a few minutes, the chopped anchovies.

3. Add several tablespoons water, and leaving fire on low, cook until chicken is done and sauce is thick and rich (about 45 minutes). Serves 4.

What is it?

I knit the "Give it a Whirl Bag" from Creative Knitting, July 2006, with Patons Classic Merino in Rosewood (variegated) - a quick knit, finished in a day, but...I didn't like the results. It was too floppy and I didn't like the way the colors pooled. So...what to do? - throw it in a washer full of hot water of course. Now I love the way it pooled, but I don't know what it is! Is it a flower pot?

Or, is it a hat? This yarn was actually the same yarn I used on the scarf he is wearing, but it looks completely different.
Or.....


Is it really just a smaller, felted version of the "Give it a Whirl" Bag?


What do you think?

President's Day/Vacation

This is winter vacation week - a much needed break for the kids and teachers! We are dogsitting this week - DD and family have gone to Florida. Now everyone say awwwww.......
Casper is a four year old Maltese and he's the best little dog! His misses his kids though.

I plan to read, knit, scrapbook, and maybe even do a little cleaning and organizing.

I'm reading Nora Robert's Birthright, which is the February Whoduknit book, and knitting the Whoduknit mystery KAL, and the Give it a Whirl Bag from Creative Knitting, July 2006. Tomorrow I'm going to a pot luck all day crop (scrapbooking) party. The cleaning and organizing has to do with my 'craft room' which I can't even walk into right now. It would be nice to be able to find things in it. But for now, it's pouring and promises to do so for the next 24 hours - so, back to my book!

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Chris.

At least it is a fun--quick one - and actually I've done it before.



The Rules--

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages.

2.Open the book to page 123 and find the 5th sentence.

3. Post the next 3 sentences.

4. Tag 5 people



I still have Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann (the Whoduknit January book) sitting on my computer desk because I was referring to it during our discussion. So..
"She's not stupid," murmered Miss Maple, more to herself than to any of the other sheep. "Beth's not stupid. She thinks too much of souls and not enough of human beings, but she's not stupid."

I Tag:

Joyce
Karen
Ashleah
Barbara
Penny

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

We had another snow day yesterday and I thought about spending the day knitting one of these great dishcloths from Kris Knits - she has the cutest dishcloth designs on her blog! Or one of the other valentine projects I found on The Daily Chum, (Love the Daily Chum!) like the teeny meeny crochet heart or the crochet valentine box and candy. But then decided to dig out an old hobby of mine that's been neglected for a long time - scrapbooking -and I made this star Valentine album for my DD.

The kids at school were wound up tight today - Valentine's Day is one of their favorite days. They just love exchanging Valentine cards. We couldn't get out on the playground which was frozen solid so there was no running off that energy. The room mothers were in for a party with games, crafts and snacks. After finally winding down and getting them on the bus, it was wonderful to come home to a box of chocolates, flowers, and dinner cooked by DH himself! Hope your day was special too!

The Daily Chum

If you haven't visited Lime and Violet on The Daily Chum, don't waste another minute - run right over there now to find patterns like the cute Easter Egg Cozies, Rattlesnake Creek Socks, an adorable heart dishcloth, plus more, more, more, every day!

Now you see it, now you don't

I knit this illusion heart scarf for my granddaughter. Thanks to Laura's line by line pattern it was really easy. I used Vanna's Choice yarn - less than one skein each of Rose and Beige (which is really a cream color) for a 10 repeat, 50" long scarf. You can find laura's line by line instructions here,

or, if you prefer to work from a chart - you can find that here.

There is no Joy in New England

"The Patriots lost the Super Bowl. It is an alternate universe. It does not compute. It's like hearing Tony Bennett singing, "I Left My Heart in Ashtabula," or seeing a photo of Mitt Romney with his hair messed up." We still love ya' Tom!

Sunday Brunch

The rain last week washed away most of our snow (not to worry, it will be back!) and this morning we had four guests in our backyard, munching on the apples left over from the fall. We really don't see this too often since this is prime deer hunting country and they are pretty skittish, but I guess they know hunting season is over and they are safe for another year!

Groundhog Day

Punxzutawney Phil has spoken - 6 more weeks of winter! You might as well settle in and spend it knitting - maybe some of these cute hedgehogs from Fibertrends?
Or this free hedgehog pattern from lionbrand (you have to register to get this free pattern.)

If you are prone to cabin fever and live in New England you might want to check out the New England Textile Arts/SPA - Knit and Spin Retreat in Freeport Maine, February 22, 23, and 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Knitting Sheep

This is my project for this month's Whoduknit book, Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. In this book sheep are the detectives, and yes, they have names and they talk! So here is "Miss Maple", the cleverest sheep in the flock taking a knitting break. The pattern for the knitting sheep is here.

My sheep is really very special because her black sweater is knit from hand spun alpaca that was sent to me by Vicki in one of the International Tote Exchanges. And, that yarn came from her very own special alpaca, Buck!